Effect of depositional water content on the collapsibility of a reconstituted loess

Wong, L. X., Shire, T. and Standing, J. (2020) Effect of depositional water content on the collapsibility of a reconstituted loess. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 53(2), pp. 283-289. (doi: 10.1144/qjegh2018-025)

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Abstract

Loess, a wind-blown silty soil, can be deposited under a variety of moisture conditions, including dry deposition, wet deposition and gravitational settling of aggregations formed in moist air by capillary forces at grain contacts. This experimental study uses single and double oedometer tests to assess the effect of depositional water content on the collapse potential of reconstituted samples of the Langley Silt Member, known as Brickearth, a natural loessic soil. A freefall sample preparation technique was used to mimic loess formation and environmental scanning electron microscopy was used to relate the observed behaviour to sample fabric. The results show that loess deposited at higher water contents has a greater collapse potential, which is shown to be related to its looser, more granular fabric.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:T.S. was funded by an EPSRC Doctoral Prize.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Shire, Dr Thomas
Authors: Wong, L. X., Shire, T., and Standing, J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
Publisher:Geological Society
ISSN:1470-9236
ISSN (Online):2041-4803
Published Online:19 August 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 5(2):283-289
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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